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November 1st, 2012
Putting Who You Are Into How You Lead

Along with much of the country right now, I am captivated by the commentary surrounding the upcoming election—with sharper lines drawn between the parties’ most ardent followers and a seemingly ever-narrower space for thoughtful discussion. Despite the constant cacophony of pundits and public figures arguing over who is winning and who is losing on any particular day (which—I admit—I read voraciously), I am struck by the deafening silence on the issue I consider most critical: the core values we as a country believe should drive how we make decisions.

“Values” is a loaded term, especially when it comes to politics and religion. Too often co-opted by those on the extremes and ceded by those in the center, it becomes code for where one stands on abortion, same sex marriage and other hot-button issues. The effect is that thoughtful debate guided by a framework of clearly articulated values is subjugated to posturing and sound bites—and leaders focused more on declaring who they stand against rather than what they stand for.

Many exceptional individuals counter this prevailing norm, explicitly applying values to their leadership. Read More »

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March 29th, 2012
The Jewish New Media Innovation Fund: One Year Later

Cross-posted from eJewishPhilanthropy. This article is co-authored by Rachel Levin of the Righteous Persons Foundation and Josh Miller of the Jim Joseph Foundation.

Back in 2010, when Facebook had but a meager 300 million users and the concepts of Google Plus and Pinterest were not yet on the horizon, there was a desire bubbling up within the Jewish community to capitalize on the new media and technological innovations happening across so many facets of our lives.

How could we channel all of these new platforms to strengthen innovation within the Jewish community? How could these tools enable Jewish communities spread all over the world to reach, teach, learn, create and affiliate in unprecedented ways? Read More »

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December 14th, 2011
Learning From Teach For All

Adam Simon is the Foundation’s Associate National Director and the director of the REALITY  program.

A month ago, I sat in a classroom with 60 kids in Mumbai, India. I was on a site visit as part of the Teach For All annual conference, a gathering of 200 people spending four days deeply engrossed in discussing how to build a global movement that will end educational inequality in the next 50 years.

The meeting brought together representatives from Teach For All affiliates in the two dozen countries that are replicating and adapting the well-known and highly regarded Teach For America model. I was privileged to be among the social entrepreneurs and funders in attendance from places like Mexico, Germany, Afghanistan, Israel, Lebanon, the UK and Columbia. Read More »

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November 21st, 2011
Dr. King and the Jewish Organization Equality Index

On a chilly Sunday a few weeks ago, I took my children to see the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial off the National Mall. As we walked across the Potomac River, seeking distraction from the biting wind, we discussed why Dr. King deserved such an honor.

At five and eight years old, their questions were poignant and telling: it was not the fact that someone had fought for equal rights and freedoms that bewildered them—it was that he had to fight for it as recently as when their grandparents were in college.

To my young children, equality is a given and diversity a cause for celebration. The prospect that someone might be treated differently because of the color of his skin does not exist. And the idea that someone might not be accepted because of who she loves is beyond comprehension. Read More »

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May 3rd, 2011
Investing in the Intrapreneur

As we announce the 25 young professionals who will participate in the 2011 Kivun Intensive, Adam writes about the importance of professional development for raising the profile of careers in the Jewish community.

When I left a business career to return to Jewish not-for-profit leadership several years ago, most reactions included surprised looks and concerns that—despite an MBA from a highly ranked business school—I could not cut it.

And when I have counseled hundreds of young people trying to figure out their path, the idea of being a Jewish professional is usually anathema to the most skilled.

It is not that I want everyone to follow in my footsteps. To the contrary, I want people to follow their passions. I am more troubled by the categorical denial of a Jewish professional career, rather than seeing it as a viable opportunity for excitement, growth, compensation and fulfillment.

For a long time, this perception has dogged the not-for-profit sector in general. The unspoken maxim is that the strongest individuals take posts in the business world, while the weak cast their lots with not-for-profits. Read More »

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January 24th, 2011
Why Create a Jewish Equality Index?

Read a version of this post on the The Huffington Post!

Last month, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was celebrated by millions across the country and around the world who believe that sexual orientation ought not to have bearing on whether you can serve and sacrifice for the country you love.

We at the Schusterman Family Foundation stood with those who welcomed this shift in direction for our country as it demonstrated that our nation is taking steps toward advancing openness and inclusivity of the LGBT community whose rich diversity strengthens the tapestry of interwoven identities embodying what it means to be an American.

Even more, the repeal of DADT offered proof that entrenched institutions can recognize the fallacy of previous decisions, change course and announce loudly and proudly that who you love should not limit what you do with your life. Read More »

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November 23rd, 2010
Opportunity: Tell Us How You Tech!

Have you or your organization used new media technology in an effective, creative way to activate your network?

Tell us the details of your story, and be entered to win a free pass* to the 2011 Nonprofit Technology Conference (“NTC”) from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and Darim Online.

NTC, an annual event organized by NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network, will take place March 17-19 in Washington, D.C. It is a rare opportunity for the tech-friendly and curious Jewish professionals to connect with, learn from and share knowledge with peers and experts who are dedicating their talents to the nonprofit sector. Read More »

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October 15th, 2010
Jewish New Media Innovation Fund: Powered by the People

Last week, together with the Jim Joseph (JJF) and Righteous Persons (RPF) foundations, we launched the Jewish New Media Innovation Fund (www.JewishNewMedia.org), a $500,000 grant pool for projects using new media tools to help young people engage with Jewish life and ideas.

Successful collaborations such as this take time as partners align priorities while achieving consensus on numerous details. What stands out to me on this process, however, is the one decision we agreed upon almost immediately: opening the grant pool  to individuals and for-profit entities, rather than solely the not-for-profit organizations that comprise almost all of our grantmaking. Read More »

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September 16th, 2010
Introspection Rooted in Community: A Yom Kippur Reflection

As a very nervous 14 year old preparing to blow shofar at my childhood synagogue for the first of what would be many times, I sat fumbling with the ram’s horn, feeling very jittery, paying little attention to the service. Noticing my nerves, my father leaned over and said something that forever changed how I approached this ritual:

Because the mitzvah—the commandment—is to hear the shofar, not to play or blow the shofar, my ability to successfully elicit the sounds would be based entirely on whether the spirit of the congregation was strong or lacking. If the congregation was with me, I would be fine. And if I messed up, well, that would be the congregation’s fault! Read More »

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August 2nd, 2010
Where Relevant Meets REALITY

The first time I had a serious conversation with Lisa, a Teach For America (TFA) corps member in her early 20’s, was when I walked by and noticed her crying.

She told me her story of having two Jewish parents but being raised with no religion. Of always seeking something spiritual but hating synagogues and other Jewish experiences because she felt judged and belittled for her ignorance. She was crying because, for the first time in her life, she felt welcomed by the Jewish community.

So what did we—the Jewish community that she felt rejected her for so many years—finally do right? Read More »

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